Costa Rica’s Ariel Rodriguez scored the first goal at three minutes of play. The Ticos kept their one-goal lead until the 79th and 83rd minute mark, beating French Guiana 3-0.

Q SPORTS – The Costa Rica national team secured a spot in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter finals with a 3-0 victory over French Guiana on Friday night at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

French Guiana blamed their loss to being forced to play without Florent Malouda, the former France international who was suspended for two matches after being fielded ineligibly in his team’s second group match against Honduras.

Costa Rica wasted no time, took control from the start. Ariel Rodriguez found himself in the perfect spot in the third minute of play, coming close to doubling the lead for Costa Rica in the 15th minute. The Ticos (Costa Ricans), however, kept their one-goal lead until the 79th minute with a goal by Rodney Wallace. David Ramirez added the exclamation point four minutes later.